Pennsylvania’s $19 billion outdoor industry has a new champion: the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania (OBA PA), which launched today. Governor Josh Shapiro was joined by Mary Beth Laughton, CEO of the retail chain REI, and supporters including PEC, in announcing the initiative at REI’s store in Mechanicsburg.
Designed to elevate the needs of outdoor recreation businesses and unlock new opportunities for growth, OBA PA grew out of a year-long process initiated by DCNR’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR). PEC was an active participant in those discussions, alongside manufacturers and outfitters, elected officials and state agencies, leaders from the tourism and hospitality sectors, and economic development organizations from across the Commonwealth.
“The outdoor industry is a major economic driver in Pennsylvania, but it’s much more than that,” said PEC President Tom Gilbert, who serves on OBA PA’s advisory committee and attended the launch event. “Outdoor businesses are among our strongest allies in promoting environmental stewardship and advocating for outdoor amenities that enrich the lives of all Pennsylvanians. When these businesses thrive, we all win.”
The outdoor sector continues to grow in Pennsylvania, underscoring the economic importance of well-maintained public lands and accessible green spaces. The Commonwealth is investing in outdoor recreation, with plans for two new locations — Laurel Caverns in Fayette County and Glen Onoko Falls in Carbon County — to be added to Pennsylvania’s system of state parks, already among the nation’s largest.
Outdoor businesses and members of the public are invited to learn more about OBA PA in a webinar scheduled for September 29. Register here.